To start crafting you need to be level 50 and have access to Port Lux. (Check the FAQ at the bottom of the page for more info) You can get the tool for crafting, C.A.Transmuter, from the Core Alchemist there. There are five different C.A.Transmuters and once you choose one you're stuck with it so choose wisely.

C. The crafting experience bar: It shows the progress you've made so far in the current level of crafting. You gain crafting experience everytime you craft something. The better the item you craft is the more experience you will get. Each equipment type has it's own experience bar.

D. The various items which you can craft.

E. The required level and amount of % for crafting the specific item

F. Materials required for crafting the specific item

Materials used in crafting:

Discs: You can get the level 1 discs from Core Alchemist in Port Lux. Levels 2-4 are dropped by monsters.

Shape Cartridges: 5 types (Same as C.A.Transmuters). You can get level 1 cartridges from Core Alchemist. Levels 2-4 are dropped by monsters.

Material Cores: You can get these by crushing armors and weapons with your C.A.Transmuter. You can get different cores depending on the item you crush. (eg. You can Aramid Cores from Aramid equips, Shadosteel Cores from Shadowsteel equips etc...)

Quartz Cores: You can get these by crushing Orbs and Crystal. The type of cores depends on the type of equip you crush. (Same as Material Cores)

Circuit Jewels: You can get these by crushing Rings and Amulets.

Equipment: eg.You need Aramid Martialhelm if you want to craft Aramid Martialhelm of Vampire
On lower levels you need a normal +0 white equipment (ie. The ones you can buy in shops), but as you get to higher levels of crafting you'll need 1 slotted, 2 slotted, crafted or even enchanted equipment to craft.

Upgrade Cores (Piece): You can get these by crushing upgraded (+X) or slotted equipment.

Force Cores (Piece): Same as upgrade cores (piece).

Honor: Honor is not really a material, but you need it for some high level crafting...

These are just the basic types of materials you need. There's a lot more mats, which are used for Basic Crafting but I'm not gonna mention them....since I don't know all of them anyway xD

Getting Materials, ie. “Crushing items”
To crush an item, simply right on your C.A.Transmuter and then left or right click on the item you want to crush. The extract window will appear and you can either drag all the materials to your inventory or click on the "Recieve all" button. The item is, obviously, destroyed. You also get a small amount of alz from this.

Leveling up:
After you get 100% in your current crafting level, you can finnaly start trying to craft the “item of proof” (eg. Aramid Martialhelm of Proof for Aramid Martialhelm crafting). After you manage to craft the item (can take a lot of tries), you can go to the Core Alchemist in Port Lux who will give you a license card. Right click on it and voila, you've just upgraded your crafting to the next level.

Basic Crafting:
Basic crafting is same for all types of C.A.Transmuters. You can create pots, return stones, cores and some other things with basic crafting. All you have to do to start with Basic Crafting is to buy your first formula cards. (Number 1-5 are sold by Port Lux Core Alchemist, but you need honor rank level 2 to buy them)

If you understand professional crafting then you'll have no problems with basic crafting....

FAQ:
How to gain access to Port Lux?
You have to complete all story quests up to level 50 and the level 50 growth quest. Then you'll get the quest “The Last Knight”. Complete it and you'll gain access to PL.

Ok, but how am I supposed to get there?
You can get there by talking to Port Manager Karter in Green Despair.

Help!!!11 I choose a wrong transmuter. Is there really no way to change it?
No, sorry. Once you choose your CAT you're stuck with it forever.
Is it possible to separate stacks of items?
Yes, hold shift and right click on a stack of items.